A realistic budget with 2026 Istanbul prices including lawn, paving, decking, irrigation, lighting and trees.
The first question for anyone wanting a garden is 'how much per square metre?'. The answer ranges from ₺1,200 to ₺5,500 depending on scope. Here is a line-by-line look at the 2026 Istanbul market (excl. VAT).
Per-m² prices by scope
- Basic: Soil preparation, turf and basic planting, about ₺1,200/m²
- Standard: Lawn, shrub and perennial planting, paths and a seating area, about ₺2,800/m²
- Complete: Natural stone, timber decking, pergola and water feature included, about ₺5,500/m²
Line-by-line prices
Turf ₺180–260 per m²; shrub planting ₺450–900 per m²; natural stone paving ₺2,200–4,500 per m²; timber decking ₺3,500–6,000 per m²; automatic irrigation ₺145–220 per m²; landscape lighting ₺100–180 per m²; mature tree 4–5 m tall ₺7,500–35,000; olive tree aged 35–40 years ₺85,000–220,000; pond or water feature ₺55,000–140,000.
Design and maintenance
The design fee is ₺90–160 per m², and annual care for a 500 m² garden is ₺9,500–16,000 per month. Maintenance should be in the budget from year one; a poorly kept garden quickly loses the value of the investment.
Worked example
A 300 m² standard garden: ₺840,000 base construction, ₺45,000 for six trees, ₺26,100 for irrigation (180 m² planted), ₺36,000 for lighting. The subtotal is ₺947,100 and about ₺1.14 million including VAT, roughly ₺3,800 per m².
Ways to cut cost
- Reduce the lawn and add dry-garden elements
- Buy medium-sized trees instead of mature ones and let time do the work
- Phase the work: infrastructure and surfaces first, plants the next season
- Choose the season: autumn and early spring are the best and cheapest planting periods
Use the cost estimator on our site to produce a preliminary budget for your own project.
Hidden cost factors
Sloped terrain, rock found on excavation, difficult access (crane or hand carrying), tree removal permits and underground services can swing a project by 10–25%. All of these should be assessed at the site visit and stated clearly in the contract.
What to look for in the contract
A bill of quantities and unit rates, a schedule of plant species and sizes, warranty terms and a payment plan should all be in writing. Specify species and size instead of the word 'similar' for plants. A structure of 30% advance, progress certificates and 5% retention until acceptance is healthy.